Salute to Ruby.
It's not easy to say goodbye to Memphis royalty. Many knew Ruby Wilson, the Queen of Beale Street, as a performer and will remember her powerful presence as an advocate for the City of Memphis. Her music touched lives around the world. But what the tourists may not have seen was Ruby's commitment to philanthropy and community service. She loaned her voice for videos
f
or the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) and had a heart for giving.
She shared her wisdom with us saying, "A little bit can go a long way if you stir in some from other women too."
Ruby,
Executive Director and CAO WFGM
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WFGM proudly shared our accomplishments as a backbone organization in the community at the Annual Meeting. Thank you to the more than 160 attendees for their support. Read more about our successful year in the
Annual Report, see
photos from the meeting, and hear the
success stories from
grantee partner programs.
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Thank you to the 2016 Power of the Purse™ Auction sponsors for your support. View a full list of sponsors so far here
. The Power of the Purse will be held Thursday, October 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The University Club of Memphis.
Tickets
are $50 for general admission and $75 for VIP admission. Follow WFGM on
Facebook
,
Instagram
,
Twitter
and
YouTube
to join the conversation on the fun, food and fashion of this event using #POP16 as we countdown to the auction! Click
here
for more information.
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LEADERSHIP
Lunch and Learn with WFGM
The Women's Foundation hosted a power luncheon with the female leadership of Mayor Jim Strickland's administration. The group discussed the needs of women and children in the city, our Vision 2020 Strategic plan, and brainstormed collaborative efforts.
Legends Award Art on Tour
The Legends Award Art Exhibition is on tour and will make its next stop at the Temple Israel on September 6-29. Legends Award Artists and Writers create works of art and prose that personify the Legends Award Honorees' accomplishments and contributions to this community. The collection of art and prose tours throughout Memphis, hosted by several companies and organizations. Since 2009, WFGM has honored 61 women. To learn more about the Legends Award Art Exhibition contact Grants and Programs Manager Patria Johnson at
[email protected].
Congratulations to board members Toni Boland-Evans and Roquita Coleman-Williams, and former board member Susan Springfield. All three women have been recognized as Super Women in Business by the Memphis Business Journal, which will honor the city's most influential women in business with the
Fifth Annual Super Women in Business Awards.
The program will be held Friday, September 9 at 11:30 a.m. in The University of Memphis Holiday Inn and honors women in different industries who have achieved success through leadership in business and community contribution.
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Toni Boland-Evans
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Roquita Coleman-Williams
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Susan Springfield
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Board Co-Chair Receives One Smart Cookie Award
Jennifer Oswalt, WFGM Board Co-Chair, was honored
in the philanthropy category at the One Smart Cookie Luncheon hosted by the Girl Scouts Heart of the South. Recipients of the award demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life in the community. The inaugural event was held Thursday, September 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Memphis Hilton.
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ADVOCACY
Women's Equality Day, President's Proclamation on Equal Pay
Friday, August 26 President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring Women's Equality Day. The proclamation celebrated the passage of the 19th Amendment nearly 100 years ago, giving women the right to vote; discussed equal pay for women; acknowledged underrepresented women in non-traditional fields of work like STEM; and reminded citizens of the Affordable Care Act, preventing individuals from being charged higher premiums for being a woman
"On Women's Equality Day, as we recognize the accomplishments that so many women fought so hard to achieve, we rededicate ourselves to tackling the challenges that remain and expanding opportunity for women and girls everywhere." (
Read the entire proclamation.)
The Voter Registration deadline in Tennessee is Tuesday, October 11. Learn more about the voter registration process
here.
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COLLABORATION
WFN Shares WFGM Success Stories
The Women's Funding Network (WFN)
, a growing community of more than 100 women's funds and foundations spanning 20 countries, featured WFGM success stories in their Network News Weekly Read that went out to a community of 3,000 subscribers.
WFN will feature the
video
again in their Network News in September.
 WFGM at Exposure 901
The Women's Foundation and the Young Women Philanthropists (YWP) were among 150 local organizations present at Exposure 901 Day.
Over 1500 people attended Exposure 901 Day hosted by New Memphis Institute in AutoZone Park on Thursday, September 1 to learn about ways to volunteer in the community. More than 40 people signed up to receive more information about volunteering with WFGM and YWP. The day ended with a celebrity kickball game on the AutoZone Park field and a fireworks show.
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GRANTS AND PROGRAMS
WFGM Grantee Partners Make Impact in Zip Code 38126
WFGM co-sponsored the
Community Resource Fair for Foote Homes Residents
at the Cornelia Crenshaw Branch Library on Saturday, August 27 where we assisted residents in 38126 with housing and educational information opportunities as well as supportive resources. Grantee partner Southwest Tennessee Community College also attended with opportunities for female residents of 38126 to register for free classes to receive a Computer Software Specialist Technical Certificate.For more information contact Willie A. Burley, Interim Department Chair of Technologies at Southwest Tennessee Community College, at 901-333-4150.
"We hope residents take advantage of this great opportunity to advance their computer skills. The opportunity is great because a computer software specialist certificate will provide you with the literacy you will need for any industry."-Willie A. Burley, Interim Department Chair of Technologies Southwest Tennessee Community College
The Memphis Health Center Health Fair was held on Saturday, August 13 in celebration of National Health Center Week and the Re-Opening of the Memphis Health Center. Over 200 people attended the event which provided residents of zip code 38126 with community resources, health screenings, and giveaways. Women's Foundation staff was present to share information about our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan and grantee partner programs.
The Neighborhood Christian Center joined forces with the
Mid-South Food Bank and members of Team 126 to host the NCC Mobile Pantry in zip code 38126 in August. Members of Team 126, a group of WFGM grantee partners that provide resources in zip code 38126, included
Advance Memphis and
Urban Strategies Memphis Hope. The organizations invited residents to receive resources and provided access to the mobile pantry. Over 265 households, the equivalent to approximately 1,060 people, were served in 38126 from the pantry.
"We are grateful to Women's Foundation for bringing attention to 38126 and allowing us to be included. As a result of this community engagement initiative we have now seen the greater need of that particular community and ways that we can better serve. It's been an honor to work alongside other partners in this initiative that have come out and been a part of the effort as well."-Ephie Johnson, President and CEO of the Neighborhood Christian Center
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WFGM WELCOMES NEW STAFF
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Tracy Dain
Executive Assistant
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Mimi Duru
AmeriCorps
VISTA
Volunteer Coordinator
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Erica Horton Communications
& PR Associate |
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SAVE THE DATES
Fun, Food, & Fashion
Thursday, October 27
6:30-8:30 p.m.
University Club of Memphis
1346 Central Ave.
Betty Hays Boutique
Community Fundraising Event
Thursday, September 15
11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
1
Farmington Center, 7820 Poplar Ave #3
Germantown, TN 38138
10% of sales go to WFGM.
The Treasure Chest
Community Fundraising Event
Saturday, September 24
11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
139 E.H. Crump Blvd
Memphis, TN 38106
A portion of the proceeds benefit WFGM.
Kendra Give Back Party
Enjoy Sips, Sweets, & Jewels
Saturday, October 15
12:00-3:00 p.m.
Kendra Scott at Saddle Creek South
7515 Poplar Ave, Ste. 105
Germantown, TN 38138
Phone Orders Will be Accepted:
901-672-6999
20% of proceeds benefit WFGM.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
EVENTS
The students of Booker T. Washington High School and LaRose Elementary School will receive backpacks, school supplies and
uniforms as well as community resources during the Zip Code 38126, Back to School Project hosted by WFGM.
The project will be held on Friday, September 16 at the schools at noon
and 1:30 p.m. respectively.
Vision 2020
Join us as a volunteer with Vision 2020.
We have several areas of focus within
this strategic plan, including:
Early Childhood Education
Job Readiness
Financial Literacy
Other Opportunities
Volunteers are also needed for:
Administrative Support
Clerical Work
Communications & Marketing
Data Entry
To volunteer contact Mimi Duru, AmeriCorps Visa Volunteer Coordinator, at 901-969-2413 or [email protected].
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WHEREtoGIVEmidsouth
WFGM is a proud partner of
WHEREtoGIVEmidsouth,
directory of nonprofit organizations
in the greater Memphis area.
Discover organizations working on issues important to you.
Find information about their mission,
staff and board, major programs, and finances, and donate to
support their work.
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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Kroger
is committed to helping
communities grow and prosper.
Year after year, local schools, churches
and other nonprofit organizations earn millions of dollars through
Kroger Community
Rewards®.
WFGM supporters can earn rewards for our organization every time you
swipe your Kroger Plus Card!
Log on to
and create or renew an account
if you have not already done so already.
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Each month we receive information
about incredible women doing
incredible things.
If you have a story about a
phenomenal woman who is impacting the community, transforming women's lives and the face of poverty and supporting the work of the
Women's Foundation,
we want to
hear from you.
Please make suggestions or submit information regarding potential
e-news stories to
WFGM
or call 901-578-9346.
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ABOUT WFGM
Founded in 1995 the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization of women helping women break the cycle of poverty in Memphis through philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration.
Our mission is to encourage philanthropy, foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.
Our vision is to be an agent of change committed to a community of well-being and prosperity, where women live in sufficiency, strength, and safety, sharing their leadership and empowering their children.
Since 1996, $17 million has been awarded to over 470 programs involving more than 100 local non-profits, including investments in advocacy and research.
With your help, we can continue to make Memphis a better place.
Join our efforts to empower low-income women to become economically self-sufficient and to provide strong role models for their children.
Learn more at
www.wfgm.org
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